Eliminated: Chiefs Crash Out of Confed Cup After Penalty Loss

Kaizer Chiefs are out of the CAF Confederation Cup after losing to Zambia’s Red Arrows on penalties on Friday night. Amakhosi won the second-leg match 1-0 at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, but the result only levelled the aggregate score at 1-1. Red Arrows then held their nerve to win the shootout 3-2 and book a place in the group stages for the first time.

Chiefs went into the return leg needing a win after falling 1-0 in the first leg in Ndola. They started brightly and created early chances, but Red Arrows goalkeeper Charles Kalumba kept them out. The first half ended goalless as both sides struggled to find a breakthrough.

The game opened up after the break. Midfielder Mfundo Vilakazi came on and immediately made an impact. In the 66th minute, he delivered a free-kick into the box, and defender Bradley Cross rose highest to head home. It was Cross’s first goal for the club and the only goal of the night. The header gave the home side hope, but they could not find a second.

Chiefs dominated possession and created several good chances to finish the tie in normal time. Mduduzi Shabalala was clean through on goal twice but failed to beat Kalumba. Substitute Asanele Velebayi also missed a clear opportunity. The visitors sat deep and defended well, forcing the match into a penalty shootout.

In the shootout, Chiefs missed three kicks. Lebohang Maboe struck the crossbar with the first attempt, Reeve Frosler’s effort was saved, and Ethan Chislett hit the bar with the decisive penalty. Red Arrows converted three of their kicks to advance.

After the match, coach Fernando da Cruz said his side should have won the game before penalties. “We dominated the whole game, we created all the chances. We lost on penalties, but we should have won the game before. We should have won 3-0 or 4-0,” he told SABC Sport. He insisted the team played with confidence and that the result was down to missed chances rather than a lack of belief.

The early exit adds pressure on da Cruz as Chiefs prepare for important domestic matches. Amakhosi now turn their attention to the Betway Premiership and the Carling Knockout Cup. For Red Arrows, the result is a historic achievement as they reach the group stage of the competition for the first time.

Source: https://x.com/KickOffMagazine/status/2113696125899219046